Despite the name, this beet relative is native to Mediterranean regions, notably Sicily. There it’s been cultivated for thousands of years, proving to be a favourite as salad greens and an ingredient to bolster soups with valuable fibre and minerals.

Broad green leaves emerge from a central rosette atop vivid stalks. The neon stems and veins grow in shades of red, hot pink, yellow, orange, purple and pure white. Because of the wide spectrum of bright colours, rainbow Swiss chard adds charm to the garden grown simply as an ornamental.

This variety of chard is quite heat tolerant, conveniently cultivated for summer salad greens. An agreeably hardy and durable crop, rainbow chard is a good choice for beginner gardeners. As a certified superfood, chard should be a staple vegetable in every green lovers’ garden. 

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Swiss chard is a delight to grow in the home garden. The bright, electric colours dazzle and delight gardeners as much as a summer fireworks display. 

Seeds can be started inside three to four weeks before the last frost to get a head start on the growing season. Otherwise, direct sow into the garden one week after the last frost. Seeds should be planted 1 cm deep, covered and pressed firmly into place. Keep the soil consistently moist and germination will occur in about one week. 

Select a site that receives full sun and amend the space with compost before planting, as chard thrives in rich soil. Water liberally during hot spells to keep leaves lush and prevent wilting. A layer of mulch is very effective for retaining precious moisture while keeping competing weeds down. 

Leaves can be harvested when they reach 15-20 cm tall. Entire heads can be harvested with the crown left intact to allow for regrowth. Alternatively, outer stalks can be plucked casually as needed throughout the growing season. For a leafy green, chard is quite heat tolerant. But it truly shines as a cool weather crop, adding breathtaking colours and essential nutrients after other crops have been exhausted. 

Fresh Swiss chard should be washed and stored in the fridge in breathable plastic bags. Swiss chard doesn’t have the strong bitter taste associated with spinach and kale. When you grow your own Swiss chard, you can tap into your inner culinary artist by adding a splash of colours and serious nutrition to smoothies, stews, salads and pizza.

QUICK FACTS

- Swiss Chard seeds will remain viable for 4 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.